By Michael Newman

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The big three of Danny Kilrea, Dylan Jacobs, and Clayton Mendez that thrilled us at last spring’s state meet have graduated and have moved on to the next level. We will crown three new individual champions in the 3A distances. The 3200 Meter Relay? It is hard to tell. We will have a better idea by the time we get to May.

The 2018 Cross Country Season gave us an idea of runners that we could keep an eye open for this spring. Josh Methner of Hersey won the 3A State Cross Country title and followed that up by earning All-American honors at Nike Cross Nationals and the Foot Locker Nationals. Despite finishing ninth in the 3A State race, York’s Ethan Kern rebounded by qualifying for both of the post-season national meets. Both runners will have something to say of what will happen when we get to Charleston in May.

Let us not forget about Thomas Shilgalis of Naperville Central. The senior did not have his best finish to last fall’s cross-country season. He still enters the track season with the fastest returning times for the 800 Meter Run and the 1600 Meter Run. He also has the race at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals last June that his on his resume where he earned All-American honors.

Here is a look of what we could see this season in the three 3A Boys distance events. We also will take a look at what we could see in the 4 x 800 Meter Relay during this preview.

3200 Meter Run

Top Athletes from 2018

Outlook – It could come down to last fall’s top two 3A runners to decide who will be the new champion. Tommy Brady is back as the top returning runner from the state finals. Josh Methner finished right behind Brady. Both have 9:06 bests. Methner is running with increased confidence especially the way he ran last December in the two national meets. Ethan Kern missed most of last track season due to injury. A healthy Kern could challenge in this event.

The talent is deep at this distance with the top five returning runners within three seconds of each other. Tyler Cushing had a great NXT Midwest Regional race last November where he finished seventh. He also has a 9:09.70 personal best for 3200-meters. WSC-Silver rivals Jack Roberts and Stephen Moody both ran 9:08 last season and could be in the hunt for the state title. Brett Gardner ran 9:11 last April at Distance Night in Palatine. I would not count out this junior.

800 Meter Run

Top Athletes from 2018

Outlook – Grant Jensen ran 1:53.1 last season and appears to be one of the runners to watch in this wide-open event. He is the only runner back that made the state finals. He finished fourth in that race. The first and third runners back may not be in this event. Thomas Shilgalis ran 1:51.81 at the Festival of Miles five days after the state meet and could think of running this distance. He opted for the 1600 Meter Run at last year’s state meet. Quemarii Williams ran 1:55.39 last year but ran in the 4x8 and 400 in last year’s state meet.

It will be interesting to watch this event develop as the season progresses. There are a ton of milers back that have fast 800-meter times. Whether they run this distance or not, we will see. Adam Swanson, Jason Hoffman, Cassius Havis, Daniel Klysh, and Adam Kennedy are some of the runners that could jump ahead of the pack by the time we get to the state series.

1600 Meter Run

Top Athletes from 2018

Outlook – Andrew O’Keefe missed winning the state championship by eight hundredths of a second when Dylan Jacobs caught him right at the line. O’Keefe ran 4:11.68 in that race and will look to better that finish this spring. He may be motivated for big things this spring. O’Keefe missed qualifying for the state race at Detweiller Park by finishing 14^th in his sectional race.

Thomas Shilgalis finished third behind O’Keefe in that state race. Shilgalis ran 4:10.70 to finish third at Distance Night at Palatine. The night before he ran 1:55 for 800-meters at a meet in Rock Island. It will be interesting to see how fast Shilgalis will run fresh.

Sean Maison finished seventh and is the other returning all-state runner back. Zach Albrecht and Sam Rivera both ran 4:13 last year and will have a presence in the front. Rory Cavan, Eddie Siuda, and McLean Griffin all have times under 4:20. They will be factors in the event by state meet time.

4x800 Meter Relay

2018 Champion – Orland Park Sandburg – 7:45.12

Early Outlook – Defending champion Sandburg returns three from their championship team. They will miss their anchor Dylan Jacobs, but the Eagles have the talent to defend. Batavia, Minooka, Naperville Central, Glenbard West, and Dundee-Crown return two or more from their state race finalists teams. They could play a big factor. I would not count out Neuqua Valley. They graduated all from their second-place team but have the talent to bounce back. York only returns one but have some young talent that could surprise some of the teams.

2A State Champion Normal University is in 3A for this season and could be a threat. They ran 7:52 and return three of their quartet. Plainfield East, Lyons Township, Evanston Township, and Warren Township are some of the teams to watch for.